Dialysis treatment offered at night

Private service provider National Renal Care (NRC) has announced that people suffering from kidney failure can now receive dialysis treatment at night. NRC CEO Noeleen Phillipson said going for haemodialysis at night would free patients up during the day, allowing them to be more productive, working, attending school or university and sharing in family activities.

While haemodialysis is usually done over a four-hour period, overnight dialysis is performed over a period of eight hours. This allows for a slower blood and dialysate flow rate, which tends to have a less severe effect on the vascular system. Patients reported feeling stronger and less tired. Phillipson said another important advantage of the overnight procedure was that it usually removed more toxins and fluids from the blood than the traditional form of therapy.

She said a study published in the Journal of Nephrology indicated that those undergoing the treatment had an improved survival rate. Research had also shown a reduction in medication usage. The overnight option is being offered at centres in Greenacres, Port Elizabeth, Johannesburg and KwaZulu-Natal. A fourth facility will be available in Mayfair West, Johannesburg towards the end of the year.

SAPA, 6 April 2012